Ablation delay again

[foxglove1]

Hi everyone

Its me again. you were all so helpful with my fears about upcoming ablation (supposed to be mid October) and being alright to fly mid December to Australia to spend Christmas with family. giving me two months to recover. Even although the upcoming ablation on my mind constantly I felt more positive after being on this forum.

NOW I have been told that there are further delays and MAYBE i might be given a date in November.

My new concerns are if I get the ablation mid november is 4 weeks sufficient time to recover?Hospital say of course, but our post ablation info not so.

Other worry is I consider myself fortunate compared to lots of others in that my AF attacks are roughly every 6-8 weeks middle of the night lasting 8 hours or so before reverting to Sinus R but .vsymptomatic. I dont take beta blockers as not a good candidate due to low HR and just on apixoban.I dont want to take any other meds but most people seem to be, as well as the anticoags, and I wonder if I am being controlled enough? I know members not medically trained but does anyone just take an anticoagulant and nothing else for their AF?

The tickets are booked on consultants advice few months ago so I either go (done the flight several times before) or delay the whole process until January. Once in Australia confident of medical treatment there

Thank you for reading this and any advice would be hugely welcome. I feel such a baby but its on my mind constantly.

thank you!

[BobD Volunteer]

Personally I would go so long as your ablation is at least a month before you fly. Make sure you avoid stress by giving plenty of time at airports etc and stay well hydrated at all times. You should be fine at three weeks but maybe a fortnight could be a struggle. ( I also wrote the recovery fact sheet in consultation with members here. )

Obviously travel insurance is a major problem so make sure that every medical condition is declared.

[foxglove1 in reply to BobD]

thank you. meant to say last time Bob you have a new fan. me! youre always so measured and keeps me calm

[CDreamer]

Recovery is so individual it’s really difficult to say. All I can say is that I flew 10 days after ablation so I don’t think the flying per se is of any consequence but the stress of travel and getting through airports is! Just note Bob’s advice staying calm and well hydrated.

[foxglove1 in reply to CDreamer]

thank you CDreamer

[JudiHalf]

I’ve had afib for nearly 8 years, I only take an anti coag as I can’t take beta blockers due to low heart rate after an afib episode it goes down to 30’s. Luckily I only get fast afib every 2/3 months and it reverts after 5/10 hours.

I have never been offered an ablation or seen a cardiologist, I have spoken to one briefly on the telephone once, I have been waiting 3 months for an appointment re my low heart rate. I have had a echocardiogram and halter monitor which didn’t show anything when wearing it!

Hope things go well for you.

[Adalaide2020]

hi foxglove. First you are not a baby. I have had afib for 25 years and had many meds which have not worked for me. Im just on apixaban twice daily. Im heading into my 4th ablation next week and im very anxious. We try to remain positive but some of us are prone to anxiety. But i do trust my cardiologist and the good folk on this forum. If your cardiologist says book the tickets and you will be ok to fly then i would listen to him/her. You are confident any medical needs can be addressed in Australia, good. Im guessing you will be with family or friends? Good. Sounds like you really want to go, so go. The distraction of doing something so wonderful will be more than good im sure.

Have fun!!!

[foxglove1 in reply to Adalaide2020]

thank you Adelaide. wishing you lots of good wishes for your 4th ablation. may i ask why 4? and how did you find going through the other 3? everything you say is right. I am going to family am fully insured, done the journey several times before and good health service in Aus. just more anxious this time as not clear whether it will be post ablation as heard this week there is a further delay and i might not get ablation until November. have i time to recover before long flight etc etc. you are closer to your ablation so as i said lots of good wishes and if you feel up to it id love to know how you get on. all the best x

[Adalaide2020 in reply to foxglove1]

thank you so much foxglove for your good wishes. Why the 4th? Well apparently im a complicated afiber. ( i guess others have been told the same) but the other 3 just didn't take. It happens sometimes, but other times one procedure does the job.

I wish you well in your procedure and hope you have a fantastic holiday. Bob is right about stress at airports or any where else come to that. Let your family take the strain after explaining all your needs (we are not too good at that i have discovered) but do that for your own good) ...ENJOY YOURSELF. XX

[frankiec5 in reply to foxglove1]

I’m in a similar position. I’ve had 2 cardioversions and an ablation and after 12 weeks in NSR, I booked a trip to Dubai. And then suddenly I developed atrial tachycardia.

I’m due to have my second ablation on 12th October and was planning to fly to Dubai on 8th November. However, I can’t get travel insurance for my pre-existing condition as I’m awaiting treatment and follow up.

Any ideas where I might get the travel insurance I need?

[foxglove1]

its so frustrating when you go that long without an episode. re insurance im with Nationwide. you have to have a Flex Plus account to qualify for which you pay a small amount each month. this then gives you car breakdown cover which i've used several times, phone dropping on tiled kitchen floor cover, also used couple of times! and travel insurance. the travel insurance ive got for upcoming (hopefully) trip, knows i've an ablation which may or may not take place , plus other conditions and im covered.ive used them for 3 trips to India and several to Aus over past few years and altho never had to use felt reassured available. good luck